Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Texas Substitute Teacher Arrested After Coming to Class Drunk

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

RICHARDSON, Texas — A substitute middle school teacher suspected of being drunk in class was too intoxicated to complete a sobriety test and was arrested, authorities said.

Thomas Brownlee, 56, was in a classroom Tuesday with students and another staff member for about 20 minutes, Richardson school district spokesman Tim Clark said. Another teacher suspected Brownlee was drunk and told a campus police officer.

A Dallas police report states that Brownlee "had slurred speech, breath smelling of an alcoholic beverage and bloodshot eyes."

The officer stopped issuing a sobriety test out of concern for Brownlee's safety, according to the report.

Brownlee was charged with public intoxication, police said.

A telephone listing for Brownlee was disconnected.

Clark said students were never alone with Brownlee, and that the district had used him as a substitute teacher before without incident.